News Update            Catch up on the latest 2007 news items below ...........                                                

   Links from 2006                      

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      Visit the Durham County Record Office page                  Visit the DLI Museum web site

   Latest News  2007 

3rd January 2008                                                       Canon Markham dies

Canon Gervase William Markham MBE MA has died, aged 97. He passed away peacefully at home in Morland on 29th December 2007.

He served in North Africa and Sicily and, with 8DLI, took part in the Normandy Landings, maintaining his contact with the Regiment thereafter and attending many regimental dinners and special occasions, post war.

There will be a Burial and Thanksgiving Service at Morland at 2pm on Saturday, 12th January 2008 - Family flowers only, but donations, divided between Morland Church and BibleLands, may be made through C. Lowis, High Street, Morland, Penrith, CA10 3AS

The Obituary by Maj Donald McDonald, editor of The Durham Bugle will be followed by an appreciation of Canon Markham's life to be published in the next issue of the magazine.

29th December 2007                                                             Death of Ken Lovell

We have been told that Ken Lovell died very peacefully and with dignity on 23rd December 2007.

His body will be received into church on the evening of Sunday 6th January 2008 at 8pm and a short service will follow.

His requiem mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 51 Cambridge Park Wanstead, London E11 2PR at 10.30am on Monday 7th January 2008 followed by burial at Manor Park Cemetery. 

All are welcome to attend and are invited back to the church hall for refreshments.

Ken was a great supporter and friend of the DLI Association and well-known to many members.  He served with 16 DLI during the Second World War and wrote of his experiences in Italy in The Durham Bugle. His stories of the counter attack at Hospital Hill, Solerno and the events in the Corpo di Cava area bore witness to his remarkable memory and his brave fight with illness over a long period was an inspiration to all.  His death is a very sad loss.

Click to read an Obituary by Maj Donald McDonald, editor of The Durham Bugle. An appreciation of Ken's life is planned for the next issue of the magazine.

For further details, to leave messages, or to get in touch with Ken's family, email childrenofkenlovell@yahoo.com

or

contact Kevin Storey, DLI Association Secretary. (nb. The Rifles Durham Office re-opens on 2nd January 2008)

  Stories you may have missed!

28th December 2007          'A Long Long War; Voices of the British Army in Northern Ireland, 1969-98'

If you are looking for some post-Christmas reading we recommend the following book.

A Long Long War; Voices of the British Army in Northern Ireland, 1969-98  by Ken Wharton is now on pre-order with a 10% discount if ordered on-line. You are invited to look at the web site - www.helion.co.uk

The stories of the men from the regiment who served in Northern Ireland are told in the book which relates the real story of what happened.

It is both an interesting and, at the same time, moving account of the troubles from the perspective of the soldiers involved.

If you or any of your friends have any stories to tell they are encouraged to get in touch with Ken Wharton at Ken_wharton@hotmail.com. or Dave Hallam at  david1rgj@hotmail.com

22nd November 2007                                           'Exemplary Conduct' launched

Exemplary Conduct, The Life and Times of Sgt. Jim Murray BEM, Durham Light Infantry is now on sale. This autobiography which tells the story of Jim's life and career from shepherd boy to masseur also covers his varied service with The Durham Light Infantry.

Jim served and fought in Berlin, Korea, Hong Kong, Egypt and Borneo as well as Northern Ireland and during a break in service became a police Inspector in Kenya.

His book is full of the stories and incidents of his life as well as his poetry and it is a fascinating read.

Copies, at a cost of £11 each (inc. £1 p&p) including signed copies, can be ordered from The Rifles Durham Office, Elvet Waterside, Durham, DH1 3BW or by telephoning 0191 3865496

                     For an order form and details of other DLI books click on the Front Cover picture of Jim's book

13th November 2007                                       Funeral of ex-CSM BOB FAWCETT DLI

The funeral of Bob Fawcett will take place at the Crematorium in Colchester on Friday 16 November at 1030 hrs. 

A free mini bus will travel down from Durham on Thursday 15 Nov leaving The Rifles Durham Office at noon and returning after the Service on the 16th. 

Those travelling will have to find their own accommodation in Colchester.

4th November 2007                                           Death of ex-CSM BOB FAWCETT DLI

26th October 2007                                            Remembrance & The Durham Light Infantry

                                                                                               DLI VC Memorial

This years VC Parade will take place at the DLI Museum on Sunday 4 November 2007. 

'The Faithful' Inkerman Dinner Club members will meet, once again , this year, to lay a wreath at the Durham Light Infantry Museum VC memorial on the nearest Sunday to Inkerman Day, Monday November 5th.

This will be the fifth such ceremony and will be attended by standard bearers from the DLI Association and the Bugles Section of the Borneo Band of the Durham ACF.

As on previous occasions the citation for one of the 11 DLI VC winners will be read out. 

This year the featured Victoria Cross winner is Lieutenant (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) Roland Boys Bradford VC MC, the youngest of the famous 'Fighting Bradfords'. The 'Fighting Bradfords' were four brothers of whom only one, Thomas, survived the Great War and who won between them two VCs, two MCs and a DSO.

Field of Remembrance

Major Chris Lawton MBE will represent the Regiment at the Field of Remembrance in Westminster on Friday 8 November 2007. 

                                                                                                                Cenotaph March Past

DLI Branches members and individuals are again expected to attend this years Remembrance Parade to the Cenotaph and tickets for Horse Guards are now held at The Rifles Office Durham. 

25th September 2007                                                   8 DLI Veteran Returns

New Zealander, Bob Rogers, who joined the DLI at the outbreak of WWII, served with 8DLI and was captured at El Alamein in July 1942 has made a sad visit home.

Born in East Howden, North Tyneside, he has come home with his son, Michael and daughter, Lynn, to scatter the ashes of his wife and lifelong sweetheart, Edna (nee James), whose death brought an end to their, almost, sixty-year marriage. He intends to scatter her ashes in Plessey Woods, Bedlington, where those of her sister and brother-in-law were also scattered.

Bob was one of the 3000 men who, as captives of the German Army, were being shipped to Italy on the Italian cargo ship Nino Bixio when it was torpedoed by the British submarine Turbulent. Bob was one of the handful of survivors and met his future wife as a result. Edna had been married to another DLI soldier, Roger Peel, who was  a victim of the sinking and she wrote to Bob hoping for news of her husband. They met and later married. 

Bob's life and the story of his capture, escape from the Nino Bixio, life as a prisoner and eventual escape from Italy are told in his book Sixty Bonus Years which is published in New Zealand. 

His next assignment is to visit Italy again to be made an honorary citizen of the town, Gaina, in which he was given shelter for six months during his escape.

20th September 2007                          DLI Fly Out For Primosole Memorial Unveiling

Three representatives of the Durham Light Infantry are flying out to Sicily for the unveiling of a new Primosole Bridge Memorial commemorating the action during WWII in which hundreds of the regiment's soldiers died.

The bridge at Primosole near Catania was crucial to the Allied army's advancement in Sicily and was guarded by crack German troops who fought extremely hard to hold it.

Concern about the state of the Primosole Memorial (a replacement of an earlier cairn memorial) had increased over the last few years and led to the creation by the Catania local authority of a new memorial set within a landscaped area accessible to visitors.

Veterans of the battle, Dick Atkinson, 87 of Whitley Bay, and Harry Lidster, 87 of Tanfield, will fly to Catania together with Major Chris Lawton, a former DLI soldier and now Assistant Regimental Secretary of The Rifles.

They will be important representatives at a formal unveiling and re-dedication ceremony during which wreaths will be laid in memory of those who gave their lives in the battle.

The cost of the exercise has been considerable and much of it has been paid for by DLI donations and contributions.

For details of the story follow the link

7th September 2007                 HRH Princess Alexandra takes Salute at Annual DLI Reunion

This year a full turn-out of DLI veterans is expected on College Green on Sunday 9th September for a Reunion with a difference.

HRH Princess Alexandra will take the Salute as representatives of regiments of which she has been Colonel in Chief parade. Included will be men of The Rifles, D (Rifles) Coy TA and Durham ACF as well as DLI and LI veterans.

It is 50 years since HRH Princess Alexandra was appointed Colonel in Chief of the Durham Light Infantry in 1957, a colonelcy she held for the rest of the life of the regiment, at which time she became Deputy Colonel in Chief and later Colonel in Chief of the successor regiment, The Light Infantry. She is now Royal Colonel 3Bn The Rifles.

The March Past and Salute will be followed by a short service in the Cathedral after which the majority of members and guests will retire to the College of St Hild and St Bede where lunch will be served at 1330 hrs. 

1st July 2007                                                        Veterans Day at Chester-le-Street

The Veterans Day event this year, hosted by the Chester-le-Street Branch of the DLI, was affected by the adverse seasonal weather but was, nevertheless, a great success.

Scheduled to be held at the Civic Heart in Chester-le-Street's market place, it was, instead, held indoors.

North Durham MP, Kevan Jones and Chester-le-Street District Council Chairman, Allen Humes, handed out lapel badges to entitled veterans who, together with families and friends, enjoyed a buffet lunch.

This is the second year that the event, organised by the Chester-le-Street District Council and the Chester-le-Street Branch of the Durham Light Infantry Association, has been held.  

To check your entitlement to a Veterans Badge and to get up-to-date information visit the website by clicking the link to the Veterans Agency at the top of this page.

30th June2007                                                                    Saint-Pierre 1944

The curator of the Museum of the Battle of Tilly Sur Seulles in Normandy is trying to gather testimonies from 8th Bn men who fought around Saint-Pierre in 1944. 

Would any survivors of this engagement please contact the Secretary at The Rifles Durham Office on 0191 3865490

25th May 2007                                                                      Veterans Day

Veterans Day this year, hosted by the Chester-le-Street Branch of the DLI, will be held on Sunday 1st July at the Civic Heart in Chester-le-Street. 

Veterans Badges will be presented to anyone entitled, who applies before 19th June, by Kevan Jones, Durham North MP and Roberta Blackman-Woods,  MP for Durham.

Veterans who have already received their badges may have them formally presented on the day when the Borneo Band will be performing. It is hoped that some local school pupils will be involved, too.

To check whether or not you may be entitled to a Veterans Badge click on the Veterans Agency link above this news page.

24th May 2007                                                                 Freedom of Durham

At a meeting on the 23rd May to install Coun. Bob Wynn as the new Mayor, Durham City Council also confirmed its intention to award the Freedom of Durham City to The Rifles Regiment.

16th May 2007                                            Medals of Pte Nicholls presented to DLI Museum

John Mather, the nephew of Pte Joseph Nicholls who was killed on November 5th 1916, has presented Joseph's medals, letters and other memorabilia to the Durham Light Infantry Museum 90 years after the death in action of the young soldier.

Only 17 years of age, Pte Joseph Nicholls was posted to the 1/8 Battalion where he won 'best recruit' status. At the Front he served with B Company Bombing Section until he was reported missing in action.

He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, one of the approximately 73,000 soldiers named there who have no known grave.

4th April 2007                                                      Grandson of DLI soldier killed in Iraq

Private Aaron Lincoln of  2Bn The Rifles, whose grandfather served with the Durham Light Infantry, was shot and killed in a gun battle in Basra on Monday. He was fatally wounded while trying to locate a sniper who had attacked his patrol. Aaron, whose home was in Durham City, was caught in an ambush.

3rd April 2007                                        Success for The Durham Light Infantry Museum

The Durham Light Infantry Museum reported a very successful year last year with over 40,000 visitors passing through its doors.

It also achieved Museum, Libraries and Archives (MLA) accreditation -  a measure of the quality of its service both in terms of the collections for which it is responsible and the provision it makes for visitors.

17th March 2007

                                    The Spring edition of The Durham Bugle is available now !!

Ring The Rifles Durham Office on  0191 3865496  or complete and send in the order form  (clicking on the link)

                      Don't miss your 4-page regimental history colour pull-out marking the formation of The Rifles

                                                         Place an order today and make sure of your copy

25th February 2007                                     Tommy Griffiths Plaque unveiled today

A Memorial Service for Thomas (Tommy) Griffiths, the last Durham Light Infantry soldier to die in combat, was held this morning in the Parish Church of Shotton Colliery, Co. Durham, attended by a large congregation including Lt General Robin Brims CBE. After the service a Memorial Plaque honouring Pte Tommy Griffiths was unveiled. The Borneo Band and Bugles took part in both the service and unveiling ceremony.

At a reception afterwards in the Comrades Club an address was given by a representative of the Malaysian Government which was replied to by the Regimental Representative, Col. GC Bartram TD DL.

Pingat Jasa Malaysia  medals were presented to Borneo veterans by the Malaysian Government Representative and a presentation made to the Griffiths family.

19th February 2007                                               Borneo book published today

A new Durham Light Infantry book, Jungle Conflict – The Durham Light Infantry in Borneo 1965 – 1966 by Ralph Harrison and John Heron, is published today.

The book, which is liberally illustrated with photographs - many previously unpublished – tells the story of men of 1DLI who went from serving in Hong Kong to a Borneo deployment and succeeded, beyond expectation, fighting in a difficult jungle environment. It uses the words and colourful accounts of men who took part. It is a factual narrative of the Borneo ‘Confrontation’, which was the last DLI action,  interspersed with humorous observations and conveys the spirit of strong comradeship of the DLI men.  It is a story of success - the result of excellent leadership and also of the best of professional soldiering.

It appears just before the February anniversary of the death of Tommy Griffiths, the last DLI soldier to be killed in action.

A Memorial Service for Thomas (Tommy) Griffiths will take place on Sunday 25 February 2007 in the Parish Church of Shotton Colliery commencing at 1030 hrs.  A Memorial Plaque honouring Pte Tommy Griffiths will be unveiled and this will be followed by an address by a representative of the Malaysian Government which will be replied to by the Regimental Representative, Col. GC Bartram TD DL

The Borneo Band and Bugles will be in attendance and the event will be covered by TV and Press. Afterwards there will be a reception in the Comrades Club where Pingat Jasa Malaysia  medals will be presented to Borneo veterans by the Malaysian Government Representative.

For further details follow the link and visit the DLI Association Bulletin web page.

9th February 2007                                     Learning Zone addition to Durham Record Office website

Durham County Record Office, which is the repository for most of the documents and photographs which collectively constitute a major part of the history of the Durham Light Infantry, has recently expanded the educational area of its website - The Learning Zone.

The Learning Zone includes a Unit which allows the visitor to see actual documents telling 'The Story of Jimmy Durham', a DLI soldier with a unique history.

The latest addition to this very interesting learning experience is a Unit called 'Life and Death as a Soldier in World War I'.  The visitor can see letters, diaries, maps, photographs and much more, including war poetry.

Click on the Durham Record Office or the banner above to visit the new page on this site which has links to Durham County Record Office.

9th February 2007                                     Learning Zone addition to Durham Record Office website

Durham County Record Office, which is the repository for most of the documents and photographs which collectively constitute a major part of the history of the Durham Light Infantry, has recently expanded the educational area of its website - The Learning Zone.

The Learning Zone includes a Unit which allows the visitor to see actual documents telling 'The Story of Jimmy Durham', a DLI soldier with a unique history.

The latest addition to this very interesting learning experience is a Unit called 'Life and Death as a Soldier in World War I'.  The visitor can see letters, diaries, maps, photographs and much more, including war poetry.

Click on the Durham Record Office or the banner above to visit the new page on this site which has links to Durham County Record Office. 

1st February 2007                                                         Formation Day of The Rifles

                            Cap badge of The Rifles

                             Motto: 'Swift and Bold'

Today, The Light Infantry, The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets amalgamate to form a new regiment – The Rifles.  (Click to visit website)

The former 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry is now the 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 Rifles).

The former 1st Battalion The Light Infantry is now the 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 Rifles).

To mark the formation of the new regiment, The Rifles, a reception will take place in Durham Town Hall this evening at 1900 hrs. (For details follow the link)

While welcoming the birth of the new regiment we hope that the history, traditions and the memory of regiments such as the Durham Light Infantry will never be forgotten. The Durham Light Infantry was itself subsumed into The Light Infantry in 1968 yet the name lives on. We intend that there will be no change in that respect.

22nd January 2007                                                     Release of Borneo book imminent

                                                              (Click book title below for Order Form .pdf file)

Jungle Conflict – The Durham Light Infantry in Borneo 1965 – 1966 by Ralph Harrison and John Heron is on target to be published in time for the February anniversary of the death of Tommy Griffiths, the last DLI soldier to be killed in action (see below).

The Borneo deployment involved men of 1DLI who went from serving in Hong Kong to succeed, beyond expectation, in their new and unfamiliar rôle of jungle fighters.

The book, which is liberally illustrated with photographs - many previously unpublished – also features the words and colourful accounts of men who took part. This factual narrative of the Borneo ‘Confrontation’ is laced with humorous observations. It conveys the strong comradeship of the DLI men and tells a tale of the success of excellent leadership twinned with the best of professional soldiering.  

22nd January 2007                                                      Tommy Griffiths Memorial Service

A Memorial Service for Thomas (Tommy) Griffiths will take place on Sunday 25 February 2007 in the Parish Church of Shotton Colliery commencing at 1030 hrs.  A Memorial Plaque honouring Pte Tommy Griffiths will be unveiled and this will be followed by an address by a representative of the Malaysian Government which will be replied to by the Regimental Representative, Col. GC Bartram TD DL

The Borneo Band and Bugles will be in attendance and the event will be covered by TV and Press. Afterwards there will be a reception in the Comrades Club where Pingat Jasa Malaysia  medals will be presented to Borneo veterans by the Malaysian Government Representative.

For further details follow the link and visit the DLI Association Bulletin web page.

22nd January 2007                                             Death of DLI Association Vice-President

The death has been announced of Major John W Jones MBE DL., Honorary Vice-President of the Durham Light Infantry Association.

The funeral of Major Jones, who died on Sunday 21st January, will take place at Blanchland Abbey on Monday 29th January at 1330 hrs.

A letter has been sent by the DLI Association Secretary to DLI Branches regarding detailed funeral arrangements.

22nd January 2007                                                        Countdown to The Rifles

In the interests of efficiency and better operational capability The Light Infantry, The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets will, in a few days, on 1st February, amalgamate to form a new regiment – The Rifles.

To mark the launch of  The Rifles, a reception will take place in Durham Town Hall on Thursday 1 February 2007 at 1900 hrs. (For details follow the link)

The Durham Light Infantry was itself subsumed into The Light Infantry in 1968 yet the name lived on. The pending, further re-organisation reminds us of the concerns we had then. It highlights the need for all who appreciate and value the past, and have the DLI at heart, to work even harder to conserve and pass on the regimental history and maintain the regimental links that have been major formative influences, particularly in this county and region. That is the mission of this website and the people it represents.

It is, consequently, particularly pleasing and apt that another new DLI publication is about to appear at this time.

5th January 2007                                         Forthcoming Talks by Harry Moses at the DLI Museum

                                                “For you, Tommy, the War is Over”  - on Saturday 27 January at 2.00pm

This talk by Harry follows the launch of the new book he co-authored with the late Major Ian English MC,TD covering the story of the approx. 3,500 DLI soldiers who became prisoners of war in WWII.

Many of the stories of life behind the wire are based on recordings with veterans made for the Imperial War Museum by Harry.

Details of the book can be found below - see News items below dated 3rd October 2006, 28th November and 14th December and also the LI/DLI Shop page

                                                           “A Soldier’s Life” - on Saturday 31 March at 2.00pm

To mark the first anniversary of his death, Harry tells the story of his co-author, Major Ian English MC,TD (1919 - 2006) in this talk,

Only 24 men were awarded the Military Cross three times during WW2 and Major Ian English was one of these men.

In this talk Harry will recount the story of how Major English fought with the 8th Battalion DLI from Dunkirk to Normandy, was taken prisoner in North Africa and escaped from a POW camp in Italy.

5th January 2007                                         Funeral Arrangements - Special Bulletin

                                                                     FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS – MR JOHN J. JACKSON (JACKO)

The Horden & Peterlee DLI Branch have advised The Light Infantry Office of the death of John J Jackson known as Jacko.

He died on 29 December 2006 and will be buried on Friday 5 January 2007 after a Service at St. Cuthbert's Church, Peterlee.  

Jacko served with 1DLI from 1960 and saw active service in Borneo in 1966.  

All Branch Standards would be welcome and members attending the service for 1415 hrs should wear medals and berets.

                                                                              FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS – MR JOHN BRIDGE GC. GM

      The funeral of Mr John Bridge GC, GM & Bar will take place on Friday 5 January 2007 at St Andrews Church, Roker at 1100hrs.  

      Standards are NOT required, however, full medals should be worn.   There will be a reception afterwards in the Seaburn Hotel. .

      Lt Commander Bridge was one of the 2nd World Wars’ most distinguished gallantry medallists winning a George Cross and two George Medals.   His bravery on

      mine disposal missions was legendary. The clearance of Messina Harbour of over two hundred devices left by the retreating Germans was a particular example of

      his outstanding courage.   He was a great friend of the late Captain Dick Annand VC.  

     DLI Branch members are requested to make every effort to attend.

Get a copy while stocks last !!

This book, written by Vivienne Lowe and Jim Merrington, has been produced by Peter Cargill on behalf of the Brancepeth Community Association and the Durham Light Infantry Association.  The limited edition (350) production was financed by an Award For All grant.

Though it is not able to be sold (Lottery grant rules), copies may be obtained from the LI Office should you care to make a voluntary donation (min. £2.50).  Proceeds will go towards current projects including the restoration of the Primosole Bridge memorial.

03 January 2008